With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

33 comments:

Anonymous
said...

If the offense plays like it has in the past month this could be an easier win

and we saw today, and quite honestly thoughtout most of the season, the ravens can be vulnerable against the run. While our D is as tough as ever against the run and has been great against the pass lately

On offense, the Steelers need to go Indy Colts and no-huddle them to death. I hope they don't get sucked into that "attrition football" nonsense like they always seem to. That's exactly what the Ravens want.

On defense, put a spy on Rice. That's 70% of their offense gone right there. Gregg Williams and Romeo Crennel were too dense to figure that out.

I'm not sure if the OL is coming together now that the same 5 guys have started for 4-5 games in a row, the Steelers changed their pass protection, BR is being smarter in the pocket or a combination of some or all, but I think they'll be able to handle whatever scheme Balt brings.

More interesting to me will be if Belicheck rolling up the score on the Jets a couple weeks ago comes back to bite NE.

The Ravens are on a short week and chances are they'll wear down in the 2nd half. If the Steelers can manage a half decent rush in the first half they should be able to play action pass all over in the 2nd half. On defense they'll need to keep Todd Heap in check. He could be the difference for Flacco when the Defense turns up the heat.

I like our odds, but take nothing for granted. We'll need the 60 minute men to show their stuff.

I said prior to the playoffs and still feel the same, the team who doesnt face the ravens in 2nd round makes it to the super bowl. remember the year titans played the ravens, ravens won and came limping into heinz field, we move on to the super bowl. we should beat the ravens, i just hope its not a knock down drag out game so we are hurting to beat the pats... we CAN beat the jets!!

it will be a super bowl type of game though, am looking forward to it........

One area of concern for me is special teams/field position. I think it's what has kept Baltimore in both games this year. Cundiff booms every kick for a touchback and Koch is the best in the NFL and pinning teams inside their 10. The Ravens D isn't what it was but give them 80-90 yards to defend and they will.

I worry because I worry about everything. Also, I'm spoiled by how good the Steelers defense usually is, so when a team moves the ball, even if they don't score alot of points and we win, it unreasonably annoys me because part of me wants total domination, which is impossible against a good team with even a decent QB these days. Anyway, since the Pats game, our defense is giving up less than 10ppg.

On paper the Ravens are a scoring machine. Thankfully, in real life, all season they have been extremely inconsistent and Flacco isn't as good as Ben.

Don't you think this rivalry is due for a blowout? Or at least, I don't know, 24-14 or something like that, so I still have my nails left afterwards?

Dale -- question for you. After reading Rex Ryan's comments today about Tom Brady, do you agree that Brady's antics of pointing to the opposite sideline and calling out players and coaches qualify as "taunting."

Not that I think the NFL would ever penalize its boy, Tom Brady, but this seems pretty clear cut to me. Actually, I can't ever recall a QB getting called for taunting before.

Aaron Smith won't dress this week. They're taking their time with him - in part because Ziggy Hood has played so well.They feel Aaron has at least two more years left in him and don't want to rush him back and get him hurt again.

I have no problem with Brady's antics. If opposing teams don't like it, beat him and shut him up.

And I would not be at all surprised to see the Steelers come out in an attack mode, running a no-huddle offense and throwing some trick plays in.

Dale (or anyone else reading),I will be heading from Canada to Pittsburgh on Saturday to watch the game (my second ever game at Heinz Field). I am looking for some suggestions of places to go on Saturday night to *hopefully* celebrate a win.Thanks!GO STEELERS!!!!!!!

Just got back from seeing my alma mater the Auburn tigers winning the NC championship!! Now its time for my hometown Steelers to follow suit!! War Eagle and lets beat some Raven butt!! War Damn Eagle!!

They didn't lose it Dec. 5 Marc. In fact, it was McFadden's coverage on Boldin that caused the Troy Polamalu forced fumble that won the game.

I didn't say they weren't planning on using Smith this season. Just in this game. He could possibly play in the AFC Championship or Super Bowl. And who are they signing to replace him? They've deemed that the emotional value of bringing him back will be more uplifting than signing some slappy to the active roster who won't be active on game day. I tend to agree.